Bayo Ojulari
Iyunade Grace
Nigeria’s oil production has hit 1.84 million barrels per day, thanks to improved pipeline security, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). This marks a significant increase from 960,000 barrels per day in 2022. The NNPC attributes this growth to an integrated energy security model that combines legislative and executive policy alignment, actionable intelligence, and community-embedded surveillance mechanisms.
The improved pipeline security has also boosted investor confidence and restored production levels. The Federal Government aims to reach 2.06 million barrels per day in 2026 and 3 million barrels per day by 2030. The NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, stated that the production rebound is a result of deliberate and coordinated efforts to tackle oil theft and pipeline vandalism .
The security architecture comprises a blend of legislative and executive policy alignment, actionable intelligence, kinetic deployment capabilities, regulatory oversight, industry collaboration, and community-embedded surveillance systems. This has led to a significant reduction in crude oil theft and pipeline sabotage, long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The NNPC has also projected crude oil production of over 2.06 million barrels per day in 2026, hinging its optimism on improved pipeline security and uninterrupted flows along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP). The TNP’s stability has surged, enabling higher lifting volumes and reducing losses previously attributed to theft and vandalism.
The improved pipeline security has also had a positive impact on the environment, with reduced environmental degradation linked to illegal refining. The NNPC and its partners are working to strengthen pipeline reliability, which remains one of several interconnected elements shaping the country’s oil and gas prospects.
The Federal Government’s 2026 budget framework projects oil production of 1.84 million barrels per day. Recent output levels have remained below this target, reflecting structural and operational challenges within the sector. However, improvements in pipeline management and security are widely viewed as key factors that could support more stable production and lifting.
The NNPC is targeting at least 1.8 million barrels per day in 2026 while pushing gas production even higher. The company recorded measurable gains in 2025 compared to previous years, with oil production reaching over 1.7 million barrels per day.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) is also targeting 2.5 million barrels per day in 2026, achievable through reactivating dormant fields, fast-tracking regulatory approvals, and enhancing operational efficiencies across the upstream value chain.
The improved pipeline security has created jobs for thousands of youths in the Niger Delta, many of whom were previously involved in agitation and illegal activities. The NNPC and its partners are working to involve local communities in pipeline security, promoting ownership and accountability.
The success of pipeline security efforts offers a blueprint for stability in the volatile oil sector. With increased production, Nigeria can strengthen its economy and improve the lives of its citizens.
